Clutch mechanism.



E. J. WILSON.

CLUTCH MBHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED ma. 21, 190e.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

2 BHEETS-BHBET 1.

E. J. WILSON.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 11m41.190s.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

vllwwll 1 1,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMERY J'. WILSON, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

T o all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, Earl-:RY J. IViLsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have ini vented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improved construction of clutch mechanism actuated by compressed air, steam, or other fluid pressure` which is especially fitted for use in connection with the winding drum mechanism of hoisting and trans orting apparatus, although also adapted or use in a great variety of other connections.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated a good form and manner in which the invention may be embodied in reducin the same to ractice, and have illustrate sufficient of t e winding mechanism, in connection with which the invention is employed, to render clear the application of the invention to such mechanism.

The invention first will be described with reference to the said drawings, and the distinguishing and characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out and distinctly defined in the claims at the close of this specification.

Figure 1 isa View, chiefly in vertical longitudinal section, on a plane passing through the axis of the shaft, but partly in elevation, showing certain portions ofawinding mechanism with an embodiment of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a transverse section, on a larger scale, on the line -A of Fig. 1, looking from the right hand side thereof. showing the clutch-operating members. Fig. 3 is a View on a stlll larger scale, chiefly in longitudinal section on the axial line M-M, Fig. 1, but partly in elevation; showing the arrangement of the stuiiing-hbc, supply pipe and transmission rod 25, for supplying the fiuid pressure to the clutch operating device. Fig. 3* is a transverse section of the same, on the line B-B.` Figs. l and 3. Fig. 4 is a view, chieiiy in longitudinal section, showing a means of attachment between the fluid pressure su ply pipe and the crank pin, in the case o a direct acting engine, as shown in Fig. l. Fig. `ro' is in part a side view and in part a longitudinal section of the clutch o erating members assembled illustrating a so the application of supplemental springs between the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 21. 1908.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

serial No. 422.489.

! thrust cylinder and fixed piston-collar, to i aid in restoringr the parts to retracted posii tion when released from fluid pressure. Fig. 6 is an end view of the same looking from the left side of Fig. 5. Fig. i' .is a view of the same chiefly in plan, but partly in longitudinal section ou the line Y-Y, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of Lhe upper half of Fig. 6, and shows the upper half ot' the clutch operating device assembled and ready to bolt to its duplicate lower half in position surrounding the shaft. Fig. 9 is a general arrangement of a fluid pressure controlling device by means of which the clutch may be o erated. Fig. l0 is a partial view of the va ve stem with its collars, springs, etc., shown in Fig. 9, but drawn to a larger scale to illustrate certain details of its construction as well as to show the relative position of the parts when the valve is in its extreme left hand position.

In Fig. l; 2 and 3 designate coacting clutch members, the same being constructed to engage with each other for the purpose of enabllng one thereof to drive the other. The said clutch members2and3are designed to be closed together in order to occasion their driving engagement and to be separated in order to e ect their disconnection. In the present embodiment of the invention the clutch memberis cone-shaped at its periphery, and the clutch member 2 has a correspondingly shaped recess to receive the cone. It is customary in practice to provide for increasing the frictional adhesion ot the clutch members2 and 3 to each other through the employment of some frictional material.

In the drawings 5 designates a surfacing of leather or the like, which is applied to the eriphery of the cone 3.

I ave thus far described merely the features ofa well-known type of friction clutch. It should be borne in mind that this is only one of the ordinary forms of clutches which are in use and that for the purpose of the present invention any one of a considerable variety of clutches may be substituted inlieu of the form of clutch shown, also that the invention is not wholly restricted to application to friction clutches.

In the resent case the clutch member 2 is shown xed u on a shaft 1, it being connected with the utter by means of a key 6, so as to cause it to rotate with the said shaft and also revented from having movement endwise t ereon by means of screws i. 4.

llO

Each clutch member 3 is shown mounted conoentricplly with the said shaft and with capacity to turn independently thereof when the clutch members 2 and 3 are se arated from each other, each of said clutci members 3 being herein represented as connected with a winding-drum 8, which'in practice receives on its exterior a hoisting rope (not shown). The drawings show a duplicated arrangement of arts on the shaft 1', there being mounted oosely and concentrioally with the seid shaft two windin drums 8, 8, each lia-ving connected therewith a clutch member 3. The clutch member 2 which is located at mid-len th of the shaft and between the two win ing-drums, it made dow ble, so as Ito enable either or both of the clutch members, 3, 3, pertaining to the winding drums 8, 8, to be en'aged with the said clutch member 2, as maycberequircd in practice. This duplicated arrangement involves the use of two setsvof theclutch devices; but inasmuch as the generalarrangemcnt is old in practice and does not enter into the invention, I shall in the followingescription confine myself to references ,to the parts of a single set/of the devices.

For the purpose of causing the clutch members 2 and 8 to tend to separate, so that when 4permitted to open the said clutch members normally shall stand se arated and ont of engagement with each ot er, I interiose between the same a spring or springs w rich shall be compressed when the lnovablclntch member 3 is pressed affainst the xec'i clutch member 2 and'xvhich ly the tension or elasticity thereof shall bear the clutch member 3 away from the clutch member 2 when permitted to act. Thus in the drawnrs I have shown two spirall springs 9, 9, employed for the pur ose, these springs being mounted upon bo ts or pins 10, 10, projecting loosely through holes in the bosses l1, 11, on the fixed clutch member 2 andattached to a c ol lar 12, which last acts against the end of the hub of the movable clutch member 3. Nuts 13, 13, on the face extremity of the pins or bolts 10, 10, limit the extent of the movement of the collar 12 under the action of the springs 9, 9, and prevent the withdrawal of the pins or studs`10, 10, from the bosses 11, l1, of the fixed clutch member.

i4, 14, designate the bearings in which the shaft 1 is mounted, the said bearings being provided with c aps 15, 15, and supported on suitable framing` 1G, itl. At each end ot ttul shaft and keyed thereto, as a moans for` rototing the same, I have shown cranledislcs 17, 17, carrying the crank pins 2?, 2T, to which motivo power is applied in any suit` able manner` as by means of au engine commonlyl employed in the like connection. That. portion of the shaft which is bctu'ccu the bearing 14 and the adjacent end ot the hub1 of the proximate winding barrel 8, and

nearest to the bearing il is rcdurod slightly in diameter as shown at 2!) to rect-iro tlu` piston-collar 30. To permit this arrangement said' piston-rollar is made in halvesA which are tirmly held together and in pluri. as by the studs 32, 32, and the boltsl 33, or by any other suitable means, thus preventm any relative motion between said pistoucolar and shaft along thel shaft. Further. any rotation of said piston-collar relative to the shaft is prevented b the ltey 34 which lits into a corresponding liey-,way 35 in tiaj shaft.

Between the piston-collar and the above mentioned hub of`the winding barrel is placed the cylinder 3G, 37, which is also made in halves, held firmly together as bv the'bolts 28, the cylindrical siiiface .".f'i ot' this memberV being suitably bored to tit tho outer cylindrical surface of the piston collar. while the cylindrical surface 37 is suitably bored to ft the corresponding 'portion ot the shaft. The end 'of the cvlinder 3o. 2ST is in frictional contactwiththe flange of the bushing 39 which is fast to the drinn. tinl flange thus constituting the above mentioned endiof the hub of the windingdrum- Referring to Figs. 1 and 9 the tions 40,40, on the piston collar 30 fit into corresponding slots 41, 41. formed by thc lugs 42, 42, on the cylinder 36, 37, thus pre ventingrelative rotation both between the piston collar and the cylinder and between the cylinder and the shaft, yet allowin; r ample freedom 'of motionof the cylinder relative to both piston collar and shaft axially.

While I have shown and described the piston. collar and the cylinder so constructed :is to prevent relative rotation between cach other and between the cylinder and the shaft, I do not wish to be limited to this form of construction exclusively. This pro- {ections 40, 40, on the piston collar, and the ugs 42, 42, on the cylinder may hath he omitted, thus ailowing both rotation and axial movement of the cylinder relativilo both piston collar and sha ft.

In order to 'prevent or reduce leakage of the fluid under pressure between the adjacent cylindrical surfaces of the piston-collar and the cylinder, and between the cylinder and shaft, and vet allow ample freedom ot movement of the cylinder relative to holh piston-collar and shaft. packing rings and 19, shown in Fig-s. l aud fi arr used.

For the purpose of transmitting Huid pressure to t ie space +9 between tlnpistou collar and the cylinder the .shaft i and the crank pin 2T are drilled part-wn)- alom,r their axes bv the holes .70 and .'i! and radiallr h v the holes and .'13 respectively. the radial holes and axial holt-s thus joining.' ns shown. The crzmlt dis-lt 1T is also drilled by ,a hole 54 :u Iioin the holes 52 and all. The

Voici,

.slml'l is further drilled by one or more. holes .'40 which communicate with the sparc 4) through snitable corresponding notches or openings in the hubfif the piston-collar. The outer end of the holeI in the shaft is tapped to receive a. flush plug 56 and the outer end of the hole 51 in the crank pin is tapped to receive a hollow stud 57 which is furnished with a nut 58 for holding theremovable cap 59 in place on the crank pin as may be. required. A supply pipe 24 is tap ed into an interior open space G4 of a dou le ended studing box 21, whchis provided with caps 22. 22, glands 23, 23 and packing material TO, 70, surrounding a transmission rod 25, as is common in practice to prevent leakage. The transmission rod is drilled or otherwise made tubular-,'for a portion of its length by a. hole 60, the open c nd of the rod bein threaded to receive an elbow (l1. Them is further drilled by one or more holes 62 which establish communimtion between the hole 60 and the interior space 64 ofthe stuffing box, said space entirely surrounding the rod so that the comuuinication is unbroken during the rotation of the rod Q5 in the stuffing-box 21.

It is evident by the above described ar' rangement that :my unbalanced end thrust of the rod due to the fluid under pressure is eliminated. The end of the stud 57 is threaded to receive an elbow 63 and a pipe 65 connects the elbows 61 and 63, thus completing the connnunication between the supply plpe. 24 and the previously mentioned space 49 between the piston coller and the cylinder. The transmission pipe 25 rotates in the stnlfingbox 21 and Vcollars 22 on an axis in line with that ofthe main .shaft 1, so that the stuffing-box 21 with its attachments may be held stationary in fixed sup orts while the connecting pipe G5 and the el nws fil, G3 connected respectively to the transmission pipe 2:3 and fi-:ml: pin Qi are carried by the latter in its revolution.

The above. described method of transmittimer pressure. through the crank pin is exemplified lo show its possibilities in the caso of a direct acting cugino. When permissible, as for example, if the shaft were driven by a gear in place of the crank disks as shown. thel threaded end of the transmission rod 25 could be. screwed directifl into the tapped end of the hole 50 in the shaft.

The operation of the clutch, therefore, vis

etleeted as follows: Thel supply o1 llaidpressure to the supply pipe. E24 is controlled by a suitable valve. and transmitted to tin` spat-et cso 3 ment is thereby-lrausmillod lo the movable, clutch member '-l and the latter is,.loreod against the. tixed clutch member 2. Whe-H the adhesion 'between `the two clutch members is snfliciently ,oreal lo cause lluuu tu 4turn together so that.` there is no motion oi' lthe one relative to the other, it. is evident from the nature of lthe cfmslructiou that. there will be no relativelmotion and couscquent friction between the hub of tht` winding drum and the end of therylindvr. therefore the whole system coustitntlin 1r the clutch members .andthe clutch operating .device turns as a unit. It.- is further evident from the nature of the construction that there is no end thrust in the bearings, the fort-euxerted upon the fixed clutch member 2'- being counterbalanced or neutralized-in. the shaft by the equal and opposite 'reactionary force on the p1ston-eollar, Aso that. the whole svstem above mentioned -is selffr'ontainbd. Sometimes it becomes necessary in' prat-tien to. repair or replace ,thefrictional surfacing lmaterial of the clutchmembersl or for other reasons it. becomes necessary toseparate the said clutch members completely` from nach other. This is `lreadily made possiblola removing the cylinderand pistonV collar with their .accompanying packing rings said members being made in, halves as previously described. The separable and removabhA construction may be secured in other ways than that shown in the drawings. After the removal of said members the wind ing drum and `clutch .member -'r may la: moved alongl the shaft-as far as the bearing 14. y After they have been restored to their working position by a reverse movement ot the same upon the shaft l, the clutch operating device members may be reapplied and secured in lace. In the cntchl operating devicetbus far described the movable clutch oper-aliner member 31 is forcef'l against the. movahh` clutch member 3 by the action of a fluid pressure exerted between said member Il! andthe fixed resistance collar $30, .while thrI force of the springs 9, exerted' between the fixed and movable clutch members. is relied upon to restore the member 2H lo its initial )osition' when the Huid pressure is released. `he friction between tho ti xed and :norabb clutch operating members .2&0 and ill with their achingr rings. the rrsistam-c of the fluid owing through -its passages aud 1inI inertia of the movable rlulrh opio-alia; member itself necessitate a u increased presv sure with consequent ina-reased friction br- Lween the bushing 3S and the member :il when the clutch member :i is allowed io rotate upon tbe shaft darin;r a partial relea` or a partial application of ilo: rinfrb. ln ordnr lo eliminate as far as possible thisA friction lz-etween the members I-l and 3:5 and at the same time. make the rlulch oraraliug (It-vire quicker and more positive in its rclrase. l use a `spring. or a combination of springs. the force ot' which is exerted between the fixed and movable clutch operating memlu-rs tending to draw the member 31 away from the movable clutch member when thc tiuid pressure is released, and restore said member 31 to its initial position relative to the resistance collar 30.

lu Figs. 5. (i, T and 8 I have shown means it using four helical compression springs T6 symmetrically arranged in diametrically opposite pairs. the axes of the s rings lying parallel to the axis of the sha t. The upper and lower halves of the device are assembled separately. the several members ot' each half being so held together as to form a single unit.

leferring to the arrangement of a single spring lshown in section in Fig. 5, the movable clutch operating member is provided with a cylindrical recess or pocket T8 to receive a nut T9 against which one end of the spring bears. The opposite end of the spring is confined in a cap 81 which is `screwed into the mouth of the pocket T8 thus confining the spring and compressing it between the nut T9 and the inside top surface of the cap. The fixed clutch operating member 30 has a suitable corresponding rceess to receive said cap while the cylindrical boss 82 on the inside of member 30 projects loosely through the top of the cap and in- `side the helical spring. The bolt 92 passes snugly through the boss 82 and is held in position b the nut 84 which is held in place on the bot by a pin 85, while a Gasket or suitable packing material 83 is rlaced between the head of the bolt and the outside surface of the fixed member 30 to further prevent leakage. Turning the bolt by means of a wrench applied to the head 86 screws the threaded end of the bolt into the lult T9 thus drawing the members 30 and 31 to` gcther. The positions of the parts as drawn show the clutch operating members in the retracted or otl position. W'hen fluid pressure is exerted between the members 230 and t3] the member 31 is forced to the right, and the nut T9 being held fixed relatively to the fixed member 30, the spring T0 is compressed. and the force of the spring thus exerted between the nut T9 and the cap S1 serves to restore the member 31 to its original position when the fluid pressure is relrascd.

As the frictional surfacing 5 (Fig. 1) between the fixed and movable clutch members '2 and 3 wears away, it is advantageous to limit the motion of the movable clutch member 31 so that it may not be moved under the action of the springs TG more than the amount necessary to release the clutch. This adjustment is made possible by the construetion shown. Unscrewing the bolt 92 from the nut T9 advances the nutrelativc to the lixed member 30, the face of the nut serving the further pur ose ot' a stop to limit the return motion oiJ the member 30.

Figs. 5, T and 8 show a further moditica tion in the construction of the clutch operating members 30 and 31. The inner cylindrical surface of the movable member 31 is suitably bored to fit the outer cylindrical surface of the hub extension 91 of the fixed member 30, the shaft` 1 being reduced slightly in diameter for a suliicient length to receive said hub with extension. As efore the packing rings 18, 18, 19, 19, prevent or reduce leakage between the adjacent c vlindrical .surfaces of theJ fixed and movable members; and the upper and lower halves of the fixed member are held together in position surroundin the shaft by the studs 32. 32. 89, 89. whii the upper and lower halves of the movable member are united by the bolts 28 and the studs 90.

In the operation of a clutch mechanism of the class described, it is desirable to vary the pressure between the two clutch members so as to permit of a partial application or a partial release of the Same.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a means for regu1ating and varying the fluid pressure exerted between the two clutch operating members 30 and 31, and making the said pressure automatically dependent upon the position of an operating lever. An incompressible fluid or liquid such as oil which completely fills the s ace 19 between the lixed and movable clutc operating members 30 and 31, as well as all the passages which connect said space 19 with a suitable pressure chamber 101, is used as a medium for transmitting the pressure, while an expansive fluid such as steam is used for producing said pressure, the action of the steam bein regulated as hereinafter described, resuting in the desired variations of pressure between the clutch members.

The device as shown consists of a cylinder 100 containing two pistons 101 and 102, with a helical compression spring 105 between them the force of which tends to keep the pistons apart.` The force exerted by the spring upon the piston 102 is exerted upon t e oil in the pressure chamber 101 which chamber is in communication with the clutch operating device through the outlet pipe 99. Steam which is admitted to the steam space 103 acts upon the piston 101 and the translation of the piston 101 relative to the )iston 102 is a measure of the force exerted upon the piston 102 due to the compression of the spring 105.

The steam piston 101 is provided with a pistoni rod 106 which passes through the packing nut 107 at the steam end of the cylinder. The link 108 connects the end e of the piston rod to the end d of the floating lever while the opposite end c of the Iloating lever is connected at to the arm l10 o't' the operating lever 111 by a connecting rod 112, said operating lever having a lixed fulcrum at o. The floating lever 109 is pivoted at f to the end of a lever 113 which has a fixed fulcruin at li.

The steam chest 114 contains a piston valve 115 shown in the central position covering both the steam port 116 and exhaust port 117, said orts being in communication with the supp y pipe 118 and exhaust 119 respectively. The central port 120 connects with the steam space 103 of the cylinder as shown so that when the valve is moved to the left of its central position steam passes from the supply pipe 118 through the ports 116 and 120 to the steam s ace 103, and when the valve is moved to t e right of its central position steam is exhausted from the steam space 103 through the ports 120 and 117 to the exhaust pipe 119. The valve is moved by the valve stem 121 which passes through the steam chest cap 122 and has a fixed outboard bearing at 123. Collars 124 and 125 are fixed to the valve stem as by means of pins 126 and 127 so that the motion of the valve to the ri ht or left is limited by the collars 124 an 125 coming into Contact with the cap 122 and bearing 123 respectivel The forked connection 128 is joined to t e lever 113 at while its forked end carries a yoke 129, said yoke being free to move along the valve stem in either direction.

Compression sprin s 130 and 131 bearing against the fixed co lars 124 and 125, act upon movable collars 132 and 133 whose respective motions relative to the valve stem to the left and right of the positions as shown in Fig. 9 are prevented by means of projecting pins 134 and 135 which come into contact with the ends of the valve stem grooves 137 and 136 in which the pins slide.

he springs are suiiiciently strong to resist compression so that the yoke and valve move in unison until the limit of motion of the valve is reached when one or the other of said springs is compressed by the excess motion of the yoke, the corresponding collar sliding along the valve stem, the valve meanwhile being held firmly in its corresponding extreme position by the react-ion,y of said spring. By this construction the ac tion of the valve may be made extremely sensitive to the motion of the iston 101 while its proportions and trave are kept within practical limits.

In order to compensate for possible leakage of oil in the c utch operating device or assa es leading thereto, I have shown a ranc pipe 140 by which oil is supplied from a suitable reservoir and fed into the main line 99 throuvh a check valve 141, said supply being under sulieient pressilre, as

l by gravity, to torce the pistons 101 and 102 l lo their initial positions .vlien the .steam l pressure is released, thus insuring a full pressure chamber 104: at the beginning of each stroke. The effect of said supply presl sure upon the clutch operating member 31 is more than oti'set by the force ot' the springs 9 between the clutch members, or the springs 76 between the clutch operating members 30 and 31.

The operation of the clutch is therefore as follows :-'1`o apply the clutch the operating lever 111 is moved from the position o a to the positionoa. Assumingthe piston 101 to have remained stationary during this change of position ot' the operating lever, the linkage assumes the position b' c d e f g h. The motion of the point g to g moves the yoke 129 to the left and thereby holds the valve in its extreme left position as previously described, thus admitting steam back of the piston 101. The motion of the piston 101 to the right under the pressure of the steam will continue until the linkage assumes the position b c d e fg h, when the valve is restored to its neutral position and the supply of steam is cut off. The motion of the piston 101 results in a corresponding motion of the piston 102 together with a compression of the spring 105, the amount of spring compression determining the pressure which the piston 102 exerts upon the oil. It is evident then that for every position of the operating lever there is a corresponding self determined position of the piston 101 and therefore a corres onding pressure exerted upon the oil by tie piston 102 due to the. com ression ot' the spring 105.

Y lien a reduction of pressure is desired the operating lever is lifted, i'or example from the position 0 a to the position o a. As before, assuming the piston 101 stationary during the operation the linkage assumes the position b" c d" e f g, z, and the motion of the point g from g to g" moves the valve to the right thus uncovering the port 117 and permitting the steam to pass from the space 103 to the exhaust pipe 119. The steam pressure back of the piston 101 being reduced, the spring 105 forces the piston 101 to the left until the linkage assumes the position b c dm e fg li, when the valve is again restored to its neutral position and the exhaust of steam is cut off. Hence in general a movement of the operating lever in one direction results in an increase of ressure in the fluid which operates the clutc While a movement in the opposite direction results in a decrease of said pressure, and said variation of ressure is automatically dependent upon t e posii' tion of the operating lever.

My invention in its broader features may be embodied in either a direct acting or a geared engine and may be carried into effect with a clutch operating member having either a simple axial movement or capable of both axial and rotary movements relatively to the fixed resistance collar.

What I claim is:

l. In a fluid pressure clutch operating apparatus of the class described, the combination of a shaft and means for rotating it in suitable bearings or supports through which the shaft passes, a fixed double-clutch member fast on said shaft, separate movable clutch members mounted concentrically on the said shaft adjacent to the respective faces of the fixed double clutch-member. adapted to cooperate therewith and capable of independent rotary and axial movement, fixed resistance collars mounted on the shaft on each side of the said clutch members` movable clutch operating members mounted concentricallyon the shaft between the fixed resistance collars and the movable clutch members so as to cooperate therewith, means for confining pressure fluid between the respective fixed resistance collars and clutch operating members, separate means for transmitting fluid pressure to the respective chambers between the fixed resistance collars and clutch o erating members, means for controlling said fluid pressure independently so as to shift either of the said movable clutch members into operative engagement with the fixed clutch member and one or more springs or systems of springs on either side of the central fixed clutch member, operating to restore the parts to initial relative positions when the fluid pressure is released.

Q. In a fluid pressure actuated clutchrnechanism, the combination of a rotary shaft, fixed and movable clutch members mounted concentrically on said shaft, a resistance collar fixed concentrically on said shaft, a movable clutch o erating member interposed between the fixed resistance collar and movable clutch member so related to the fixed resistance collar as to provide a fluid pressure chamber between them and adapted to force the movable clutch member into operative en agement with the fixed clutch member by t e a ncy of such fluid pressure, a suitable crank or rotating said shaftdiavin a hollow crank-pin connected by suitab e passa es with the fluid pressure chamber, a fixe source of fluid-pressure sup ly, a rotating pipe connected therewith, in ine with the axis of the main shaft and a suitable connection from said axial pipe to the hollow crank pin, to transmit fluid pressure theretbrou h and thence to the chamber in the clutc operating member.

3. In a fluid pressure actuated clutch mechanism, the combination with a shaft and bearing in which the shaft turns, of a fixed clutch member and a fixed resistance collar, both mounted concentrically on said shaft;

a movable clutch member mounted concenlrieallvv on said shaft adjznenl lo .said Iixed clutch member and capable both of rolnrv and axial movements relative to .said `shaft a movable clutch operating member mounted concentrically upon said vshaft between said movable clutch member and said resistanre collar and cooperating with the latter tu von tine fluid pressure between them, means for applying fluid pressure between said movab e clutch operatingr member and said lixed resistance collar thereby to force the movable clutch member into contact with the fixed clutch member; a spring or combination of springs so placed as to exert a force between tie fixed resistance collar and the movable clutch operating member in opposition to the force exerted by the fluid pressure :ind means for adjusting and limiting the motion of the movable clutch operating member relative to the fixed resistance collar: all of the above mentioned members being .situated on the same side of said bearing.

4. In a fluid pressure clutch operating device consisting of a fixed resistance collar and an axially movable fluid pressure cylinder both mounted concentrically upon said shaft and coperating to confine fluid between each other, a combination of springs exerting a force between said resistance collar and cylinder in opposition to that exerted by the fluid pressure, said device in its entirety being separated into two parts, the several members of each part being held together as a single unit, and means for fixing the said two parts together in operative councction with the shaft, substantially as de scribed.

5. In a fluid pressure clutch operating apparatus, the combination of a fixed clutch member, a revolving shaft on which it is mounted, a resistance collar fixed on same shaft, a movable clutch member on same shaft adjacent to the fixed clutch member and capable of rotary and longitudinal motion lrelativel thereto, a clutch operating member cooperating with the fixed resistance collar so as to confine fluid pressure between them, means for supplying such fluid pressure, a spring or system of springs between the fixed and movable clutch members to restore the latter to initial position when the fluid pressure is released and a supplemental ,system of sprin interposed between the fixed resistance col ar and clutch operating member to assist in restoring the atter to initial position.

G. Ina fluid ressureo erated clutch mechanism of the character escribed, the combination with clutch operatin means adapted to be controlled by fluid un er ipressure, and means for conducting said uid .to said clut operating means; of a cyhnder, a yiel ngpiston 1n said cylinder dividing 1t into two compartments, one of said compartments containing the clutch operating| pressure tluid, tlie othercompartmentadapti cd to receive llnid under pressure for operating said piston, a slide valve and a hand lever for operating said valve to control said piston operatinJr fluid, said piston operatively connecte with said slide valve t0 cause said valve to automatically admit to or release pressure fluid from said piston accordingr to the relative position of said piston and said hand lever.

T. In a tluid pressure operated clutch mechanism of the character described, the combination with clutch 0 eratin means adapted to be controlled by tiiiid uner pressure and means for conducting said fluid to said clutch operating means; ofa cylinder,a double piston in said cylinder having a spring between its two members and dividing said cylinder into two compartments, one of said compartments containin r the clutcli operating prins sure fluidI` the ot 1er coml'iartment adapted to receive a suitable fluid under pressure for operating said piston, a .slide valve and a hand lever for operating said valve to control said piston operating,r fluid, a link movement connecting said piston with said slide valve and said hand lever to cause said valve to automatically admit to or release piston operating fluid from said piston according to the relative position of said piston and said hand lever. i

EMERY J. WILSON. iVitnesses:

B. G. MACKINTIRE, ARTHUR L. VOODMAN. 

